Steve Nash calls teammate Shawn Marion (right) 'one of a kind.' John W. McDonough/SI

SI.com: Commentators like to talk about Mike D'Antoni's system and how you excel in that system and therefore Phoenix is a difficult team to play against. Is it a "system" or is it just that you guys pass better, shoot better and have better floor spacing?

SN: I think Mike is a great coach. The system is great. We space the floor, we penetrate, we pass and move, and move the ball. I think being a team without a power player -- with Amaré [Stoudemire] gone -- it's so important for us to highlight those aspects of our game, and make each other better, make each other successful and make each other get the most out of our skills. I think it's great for the league and I think the fans love it.

SI.com: I observed Shawn Marion during the playoffs. He often guarded the other team's toughest guy, he rebounds, he runs, he makes threes. How many guys on NBA teams do everything he does?

SN: I don't think there's anyone else in the league that does what he does. He is a unique player in the league. Truly one of a kind.

SI.com: Nobody turns down an MVP award, let alone two straight, but do you sometimes find the idea of singling out one most valuable player as anathema to what basketball is all about?

SN: I do. It's difficult. It is. It's such a historic thing that it's difficult to not accept or not feel grateful, especially given the people before you who have been a part of that and what this league's been built on -- its history and tradition. But it is a little uncomfortable. I have to admit, it's strange.

SI.com: The Knicks are a mess. When do you expect a full-scale intervention?

SN: It's going to be interesting to see what happens there. They've made so many changes. At some point they've got to hit the jackpot. We'll see. It's an incredible basketball town so I think they'll turn it around at some point and the city will be rocking again.

SI.com: The world is bigger than basketball. What are the issues that you focus on the most these days?

SN: The biggest ones for me right now are disease and hunger. HIV is a disaster. It would be nice if we could all do a little bit to help, especially in Africa. But everywhere in the world it's a problem we have to stomp out at the grassroots level.... There's great debt in many nations. There's infectious disease in many nations. Water sources, hunger, whatever it is. Human beings are mostly concerned with the immediate and themselves. It just takes some time and some conceptualization working together for people to realize that we have the potential and ability and there is the need for help. It usually takes time for human beings to help each other.

SI.com: Think globally, act locally. You picked up a community basketball courts development project in Scarborough, Ontario, that Vince Carter let go. You've been known to play there too. Why is that one important to you?

SN: I love to be a part of change, love to be a part of helping people. I don't really want to take any credit for these things. The reason I allow these things to be publicized is that a lot of times it enables other people to get involved and starts a synergy for a project to take on legs of its own. It's nice to see things like that happen. It's nice to see people get together to help. For me, it's nice to be a small link in the chain.

SI.com: I'm getting married to a Canadian in September. Any advice?

SN: Yeah, you'd better be pretty easygoing. Canadians are pretty low-key. Actually, she's a woman, so maybe not. (Pauses.) I shouldn't say that.

SI.com: You said it.

SN: Well, I definitely support your decision.

SI.com: I'm glad you say that. We were thinking of asking Leonard Cohen to officiate, but what are you doing in September?

SN: I'm going to be in Africa with the NBA, Basketball Without Borders.

SI.com: Good excuse.

SN: Yeah, I cover my bases.... Someone told me the other day about it. (Laughs.)

SI.com: I could serve Clearly Canadian at the wedding.

SN: Now, maybe, we have a deal.

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